ONE of the most historically important churches in Cornwall could close due to dwindling congregations.

Just six services a year are now to be held at St Germans to the dismay of the handful people who attend them.

They believe, in the future, the 1,000-year-old church could be taken over by the Churches Conservation Trust as a place to simply visit. A St Germans parishioner, who did not want to be named, said the closure of the church had been rumoured for some time.

"The church is a national treasure and was the cathedral of Cornwall at one time. People have worshipped there for 1,000 years.

"Since 2002, the congregation has reduced from about 48 to a maximum of 10 – if it's not raining. There's no organ and the treasures of the church aren't to be seen.

"Now we're so afraid we will have nowhere to worship at all."

The parishioner continued: "There is a group of us who feel that we should tell as many people as possible about the possible closure.

"We are all quiet, sensible people – we aren't rabble-rousers or a clique which is trying to cause trouble.

"We want to know if the people of St Germans want this – and people from further afield who come to visit our church.

"We're heartbroken about this news and we are determined to tell everyone we can."

David Watson, of the Diocese of Truro, said the church's future was uncertain.

"I know that the parochial church council were considering the church being taken over by the Churches Conservation Trust.

"This would mean that it wouldn't really close – it would still be open for people to go into for a quiet space and there would be a series of services throughout the year."

Mr Watson said the future of the church would be discussed at parochial church council level before an application was sent to the Diocese of Truro to decide what they would like to do about the future of the church.

"I'm very anxious to make clear that the church won't close – its status would change," said Mr Watson. "It is a highly emotive issue for a small community like St Germans.

"But on the other hand, if the worshipping community is reduced to the fingers on one hand, and there are all the costs of maintaining a church, it has to become a hard-nosed financial decision."